Zoox, Amazon’s self-driving unit, is making significant strides in expanding its autonomous vehicle testing. The company recently announced plans to bring its self-driving technology to Austin and Miami, marking its fourth and fifth test cities, respectively. This move comes as federal regulators increase their scrutiny of self-driving car companies like Zoox and Waymo, particularly in relation to safety issues.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has requested more information from Zoox about rear-end crash risks posed by unexpected braking. This heightened scrutiny may explain why Zoox has been taking a slow and steady approach to testing and scaling its autonomous technology. The company has been diligently mapping the cities and plans to deploy its retrofitted Toyota Highlander test fleet with safety drivers behind the wheel in small areas near the business and entertainment districts. However, Zoox has not specified the number of test vehicles it will send to each city or when it plans to remove safety drivers or begin commercial operations.
Zoox is focused on using the unique urban environments of Austin and Miami to fine-tune its autonomous system. Each city presents distinct challenges that will help the company improve its technology. Austin, for example, has horizontal traffic lights, traffic lights hanging on wires, railway crossings, and epic thunderstorms. On the other hand, Miami has traffic lights suspended diagonally across intersections and a reputation for impatient drivers afflicted by road rage.
Zoox’s testing protocol involves identifying challenging driving features and scenarios through pre-planned routes while also randomly testing point-to-point routes within a defined geofence. The company starts with a focused testing area and expands gradually as its AI becomes more familiar with the unique conditions of each city.
These plans to test in Austin and Miami align with Zoox’s preparations for its first commercial launch. The company already has a permit to test its vehicles without safety drivers in parts of San Francisco and Foster City and is targeting these areas as some of its first launch cities, alongside Las Vegas. However, Zoox has not provided a timeline for commercial deployment or defined the geofenced areas.
It’s important to note that the testing in Austin and Miami will not involve Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxis, the cute, breadbox-shaped vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. The company has been conducting limited testing of these fully driverless robotaxis on public roads in Las Vegas and San Francisco and plans to offer rides to passengers this year. The California Public Utilities Commission has granted Zoox a driverless AV pilot permit, allowing the company to carry members of the public for free within its approved Foster City domain, although it’s unclear whether Zoox has started doing so.
Zoox’s expansion news comes at a time when the robotaxi space is gaining momentum. GM’s Cruise has announced plans to test its robotaxis in Dallas and Phoenix, while Alphabet’s Waymo has started offering driverless rides to employees in Austin and plans to launch commercially this year. Waymo also intends to begin robotaxi testing in Atlanta.
Overall, Zoox’s decision to bring its autonomous vehicles to Austin and Miami demonstrates its commitment to refining its technology and preparing for commercial deployment. By testing in diverse urban environments, the company can address specific challenges and improve the performance of its autonomous system, ultimately paving the way for a future with self-driving vehicles.
